I found this site that shows a large variety of sidecast reels made by workers in the Ipswich Railway Workshops (called foreigners by the workers).Some would pass as factory made. My example has been donated to Debbie for her collection,the metal work was made by one of the sheetmetal workers and the cedar reel was turned one of the wood butchers. cost me five bob for work.

This one looks like an original Alvey cedar reel, good work for a foreign order. Same work done in the Sydenham Railway Workshops in the early days, these blokes obviously had plenty of free time .Seaweed.

thats a great reel Don,i remember hearing once of a huge argument between Bob Dowse and Jack Alvey over Bob selling Alvey parts to make these(Bob had the tackle shop just up the road from the workshops),some very interesting history with these reels ive got a few myself might have to donate one to you as well Deb

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